Medical Council of India pats Aarogyasri

Govt. hospitals get Rs. 58.59 cr. from Aarogyasri scheme
Gandhi Hospital alone gets 7.04 cr, praised for its upkeep
Give top priority to Govt. hospitals, CM tells the Trust

Hyderabad|India|November'2008: Contrary to the feelings at some quarters that only Private Corporate and Super Multi-specialty hospitals are benefited by the Aarogyasri scheme, the fact remains that many of our government hospitals, particularly Medical College Hospitals are among the largest beneficiaries of the scheme. This was stated by none other than a key member of the visiting Medical Council  of India, Dr Ramdas Pisharody.

The Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy has reviewed the impact of Aarogyasri scheme on the infrastructure development of Govt. Hospitals with Medical Education minister G Aruna and Principal Secretary, Health, P.K.Agarwal and CEO, Aarogyasri, A.Babu. Dr Reddy said that he was very particular that along with Private and Corporate super specialty hospitals, Government hospitals where surgeries could be done in various specialties could get top most priority.  Dr Reddy also said that the Government Hospitals could spend these amounts for its infrastructure development and upkeep.

Mr P K Agarwal brought to the notice of the Chief Minister that Dr Ramdas Pisharody,  a member of the visiting MCI team, who visited the Gandhi Hospital in connection with recognition of D.M.Nephrology P.G.Course (superspecialty), appreciated the premises as very impressive and said it is on par with any such reputed hospitals in India and abroad. He said that Aarogyasri has immensely helped in creating necessary infrastructure and upkeep of the government hospitals. 

He also said "The New premises of Gandhi Medical College & Hospital is very impressive and is at par with any reputed medical school in India & Abroad. The facilities have improved so much and the concerted efforts of the Government, dedicated faculty and the distinguished alumni, I understand is responsible for this.

Let this institution uphold the sanctity of medical education and provide affordable quality care to the poor & needy. I only wish that these facilities are made accessible to the rest of the people of India too. The example of Gandhi Medical College is worth emulating for other public sector institutions."

Like wise, Dr. M.V.Prabhu, Associate Dean, KMC, Aswini Kumar Das, IAS., Labour Commissioner, Orissa, P.K.Panda, ESI, Orissa, Dr.P.N.Namasivaya, Menakshi Medical College, Dr.B.D.R, B.J.Medical College, Ahmadabad who have visited Gandhi Hospital have pleasantly surprised that Government Hospitals can be so good and praised that it is better than Corporate Hospitals.  They have noted that Aarogyasri scheme is helping in upkeeping the Gandhi Hospital and creating further infrastructure. 

Following the instructions of the Chief Minister, the Aarogyasri Trust included all the possible government hospitals among the networked hospitals. The CEO of Aarogyasri informed the Chief Minister that among the 359 empanelled hospitals under the scheme, there are at present 93 government hospitals. Of the total 5377 medical camps held, 1976 were in Government hospitals, i.e. an impressive 37.45 per cent. Of the total 11,26,062 patients screened, 3,74,526 were in Government hospitals again 33.26 per cent. As far as pre-authorisations for treatment and surgeries were concerned, so far 18,808 cases were approved at a cost of Rs. 58.59 crores and 14,358 surgeries were successfully conduced at a cost of Rs.42.38 crores. This is a substantial share of the total Rs. 376.18 crores already sanctioned for surgeries completed so far.

The Gandhi Medical College Hospital, Secunderabad, the Chief Minister was informed, bagged a reasonable share of the Aarogyasri sanctions. For instance in Gandhi Hospital, 31,033 patients were screened so far under the Aarogyasri scheme, 1584 cases were pre-authorised at a cost of 7.04 crores and 1082 surgeries were done at a cost of Rs.5.50 crores. The Gandhi Hospital is using the same for its development and upkeep. The Hospital's authorities feel that it has been a blessing for the Hospital since the reconstructed new Gandhi Hospital at Musheerabad was in need of more funds for its upkeep and equipments.

The specialties under Aarogyasri  in Gandhi Hospital are: nephrology, pulmonology, surgical gastro enterology, gastroenterology, neurology, cardiac and cardiothoracic surgery, general medicine, general surgery, prostheses, orthopedic surgery and procedures, genito urinary surgeries, endocrinology, dermatology, rheumatology, neurosurgery, cardiology, plastic surgery, poly trauma, ent surgery, opthalmology surgery, critical care, pediatric surgeries, infectious diseases, pediatrics, surgical oncology, gynaecology and obstetrics surgery.

The upkeep and maintenance of Government Hospitals, particularly the Medical College Hospitals are far more satisfactory when compared to its counterparts in other States. With the mushrooming of private corporate multi-superspecialty hospitals in all the cities, towns and district headquarters, the Government Hospitals are by and large neglected. However they continue to be the only hope for the poor and low income group people. Hence the importance of government hospitals cannot be undermined. The Chief Minister said that the government will take all care to see that all the Government hospitals are strengthened and facilities and equipments available are improved.

The conditions in the Gandhi Medical College Hospital and Osmania Hosptial stand improved a lot compared to what it was four years ago. Doctors are available in all specialties and even surgeries are taking place regularly. The upkeep and maintenance in these Hospitals are also being improved by outsourcing the cleaning staff wherever necessary.

Reachout's News Bureau
 Nov' 2008